A Different Ford Drives Dark Road

August 10, 1990|By Lisa Davidson.

The hero is framed by the lighted doorway, shirt unbuttoned to reveal a muscular chest. His hat is pulled low over narrowed eyes. With a flick of a powerful wrist, his lethal whip cracks resoundingly in the still air. . . .

Wait a minute!

That`s not Harrison Ford anymore.

Starring in the movie adaptation of Scott Turow`s ``Presumed Innocent,``

Harrison Ford successfully rewrites his glamorous Indiana Jones/Han Solo image. Unfortunately, Ford comes across as a humorless, unemotional man whose blind longing for a cold-hearted woman supersedes his feelings for his family. Rusty Sabich (Ford) is assigned by the chief prosecuting attorney (Brian Dennehy) to solve the murder of beautiful, ambitious Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi), a close associate. As Rusty delves more deeply into the case, he uncovers a trail of corruption and misery that eventually overcomes him. Rusty is accused of the murder he was supposed to solve.

Ford`s tightly controlled character fails to engage the sympathies of the audience. One highlight, however, is the performance of Raul Julia, Sabich`s urbane defense lawyer.

The movie is darker and more bitter than the novel but otherwise remains true to form. If you enjoyed the book or like drawnout court battles, you may like the movie. But otherwise, don`t presume it will be entertaining. (STAR)